Overview
IEC TR 63491:2025 - Live working: Guidance for end users for the selection of personal protective equipment against the hazards of an electric arc provides concise, practical guidance for end users on selecting, using and maintaining arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE). The Technical Report clarifies how to choose appropriate arc flash PPE based on quantitative hazard assessment (incident energy, working distance) and aligns PPE selection with relevant IEC product standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose and scope
- Guidance aimed at end users for safe selection, use and care of arc flash PPE during live working.
- Emphasizes end-user responsibility to perform a risk assessment and verify PPE compatibility with the workplace and tasks.
- Test methods and protective performance
- Explains the two primary test methods used to determine protective performance:
- Open arc test (IEC 61482-1-1) - determines arc rating values (ELIM, ATPV, EBT).
- Box test / constrained arc (IEC 61482-1-2) - determines arc protection class (APC 1 / APC 2).
- Confirms that selected PPE must meet requirements of the applicable product standard (for example IEC 61482-2 for arc protective clothing).
- Definitions and metrics
- Clarifies terms such as arc flash, electric arc, arc rating, arc energy, incident energy and arc thermal protection, which underpin PPE selection decisions.
- Selection, use and maintenance guidance
- Addresses design, construction and classification, marking, ergonomics, number of cleanings, and compatibility issues.
- Practical instructions for use, cleaning, maintenance and retesting of arc protective PPE to ensure ongoing protection.
- Regulatory note
- Highlights that in some jurisdictions (EU/UK) live working PPE is Category III under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, requiring Category III compliance.
Practical applications
- Use IEC TR 63491:2025 to:
- Choose appropriate PPE for tasks with potential arc flash exposure by matching incident energy or APC to PPE ratings.
- Establish PPE care and maintenance programs (cleaning cycles, retesting) that retain arc thermal protection.
- Integrate PPE selection into a wider electrical safety and live-working risk-management program.
Who should use this standard
- Electrical contractors, utilities, maintenance managers, safety officers, occupational health teams, PPE procurement specialists and engineers responsible for live working and arc flash hazard control.
Related standards
Keywords: IEC TR 63491:2025, arc flash PPE, electric arc, arc rating, arc protection class, IEC 61482, incident energy, live working, PPE selection, risk assessment.